How to Serve a Relaxed Easter Buffet
You just can’t beat brunch for a casual Easter gathering.
It’s perfect for Easter day, to help celebrate a beautiful holiday in a casual, comfortable and relaxed way.
In my kitchen, we have a large center island that works perfectly for serving buffet-style. With this entertaining style, I have my table set ahead of time so there is easy flow.
-Have your table completely set.
-Right before serving buffet-style, gather the plates.
-Stack the plates near the food.
-Let your guests serve themselves.
-Guests will come back to the table and everyone eats together.
But not everyone has this option, so other buffet ideas would be to use your dining table, the top of a piano or sideboard, or to even set up a table in your living room. Your guests can sit around in the living or family room, or even on the stairs!
Go ahead and be creative! Casual can be really fun!
An email came this week from my friend Deanna, sharing her Easter RE weekend…
Deanna said: I’ve been reading your blog for almost as long as you have been writing it. This morning I was thinking about some of the things I have learned/put in to practice.
This weekend we are having an “RE Easter weekend.” When the weekend is over we will have served 26 people (12 on Saturday & 12-14 on Sunday) at our house.
Deanna shared 5 RE tips that she’ll be implementing:
1. Having people over even though our house is only 1018 sq ft.
2. Doing two family dinners back to back. (Both of our families.)
3. I’m cooking the meat & an accompanying dish – everyone else will be bringing sides & desserts. (Delegation!)
4. My favorite: the perfect boiled egg! (I love that tip.)
5. We’ll be playing Pandora as our background music.
I’d love to hear about your Easter weekend ahead, how you’ll be serving your guests, and any RE tips that you’ll be putting in to practice?
Have a glorious weekend, friends!
(Pictures from last Easter. Next year I’ll share about this Easter as we’re not doing brunch, but serving prime rib.) :)
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Pingback: Back to the basics: Easter dinner tabletop | The Art of Simple
I spent part of today premaking food and cleaning the floors. The love gasl will set the table tomorrow morning before church. Daughter adn family are coming over forhte afternoon. We’ll take it slow with premade appetizer to hold off the hunger and eat traditonal ham and fixings later. Your hints are always helpful and not just reminders but new ones too! Thanks. Happy Easter!!
I self delegated myself…my MIL isn’t always good about delegating to people so when she was talking about Easter I just told her what I’d bring. She’s invited 2 other families and a single gentleman from our church over as well…This was about 6 people more than I had planned for what I was making, but I decided “oh, well, it’ll all work out and there’ll be enough…I’m NOT going back to the store”!
Now I’m heading to the kitchen to make some spaghetti sauce for dinner later (I’ll put it in the crockpot to stay warm) and get my scalloped potatoes ready for tomorrow….actually I’ll have to wait for that because I just realized I don’t have enough room in my fridge. Oh well!
I couldn’t agree more! When having big family gatherings, a relaxed buffet dinner is the way to go. I put all my creative energy into setting a beautiful and festive table ahead of time and that way we can all relax when we gather together. Have a wonderful Easter!
~Kristin
Everything looks beautiful! I bought your book today, and I can’t wait to get started reading it! Happy Easter to you and your family.
All looks wonderful! Enjoy this wonderful weekend of celebrating love in it’s fullness. The death and resurrection of our Lord. ….enjoy the gathering around your table.
Last year we had suitcases with only winter clothing because our things were sent through China and none of the materials we like to use with the children were available. We walked through mud to church. I had to cook tacos for lunch. And I felt guily for feeling sorry for myself when I knew in my heart Easter still meant the same and many around the world probably had less than I had that day- I cried over it all. So….once again Easter is not how I would have planned for a variety of reasons, but I’m looking forward to rejoicing! :)
Well, we’ll be keeping Easter VERY simple this year. After church we’ll be having 10 future missionaries over for the whole day. Since none of them have means to contribute to the dinner, we decided that grilling would be our best option. So burgers, potato salad and fresh grilled veggies will be our Easter meal.
Knowing that it’s not about the food but the fellowship really takes the stress off of getting together.
Have a Blessed Easter!
that’s so true…it’s not about the food and what a blessing to those 10 it will be! Burgers sound really good right now
Hi Sandy,
Just wanted to stop by to wish you and your family a very safe and happy Easter.
x Marnie